News
America's dangerous deficit
We distribute this article from the International Herald Tribune, with permission, as it is among the first that we have seen in the mainstream media publicly speculating about the possibility of the US effectively restricting access of central banks to…
PMA chief Haddad accuses Israel
The governor of the Palestine Monetary Authority, Amin Haddad, on Thursday 26 February accuses Israel of "daylight theft at gunpoint" after Israeli troops seized over $8 million from banks in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
IMF MD Horst Kohler's statement on visit to Korea
During his visit to Korea International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Horst Kohler issued a statement in Seoul Thursday. He expressed his great pleasure at returning to Korea for a second time.
Serbia replaces central bank chief
Serbia's parliament sacked national bank governor Kori Udovicki on Wednesday 25 February in a 129-109 vote following allegations that the vote electing her to the post was rigged. Radovan Jelasic was later voted in to replace Udovicki.
France's Noyer reassures over 'very stable' euro
Bank of France governor Christian Noyer played down the rise of the euro on Wednesday 25 February, saying the rate was "very stable" and that the exchange rate was not far from the launch rate of the euro in 1999.
China and US meet on yuan, but no quick fixes seen
U.S. and Chinese officials met on Wednesday 25 February for talks on China's financial policies, including discussion on the yuan peg. John Snow said he understood Chinese policymakers arguments that China cannot change yuan policy overnight.
Schroeder urges ECB consider rate cut
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Wednesday 25 February that the European Central Bank should "most intensively" consider cutting interest rates to halt the euro's appreciation against the dollar.
IMF's Koehler supports Japan's FX intervention
Visiting the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Managing Director Horst Koehler said on Wednesday 25 February in Tokyo that he could understand Japan's currency intervention policy.
IMF's Koehler: Japan economic growth 'sustainable'
Speaking on Tuesday 24 February on a visit to Asia the head of the International Monetary Fund said that Japan can sustain its recent recovery and praised reforms in the nation's financial sector.
Hungary's Jarai: euro accession by 2008 difficult
President of the National Bank of Hungary Zsigmond Jarai said on Monday 23 February that considerable sacrifices will need to be made if Hungary is to join the eurozone in 2008.
US - China group on currency to meet this week
A six-member US delegation will meet with officials from the People's Bank of China this week to discuss various financial issues including currency and banking matters.
Norges Bank's accounts for 2003
Norges Bank's annual accounts for 2003 show a surplus of NOK 20.8 billion, compared with a deficit of NOK 24.1 billion in 2002. Norges Bank said that no transfer will be made to the Treasury from the Transfer Fund.
IMF managing director Horst Kohler to visit Asia
International Monetary Fund managing director, Horst Kohler, will travel to Japan and Korea in late February to meet with leaders and senior government officials.
US consumers in good shape, says Greenspan
Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Monday 23 February that the US household sector seemed to be in good shape. Homeowners have done well, with their total debt burden kept under control.
McTeer says Fed wording moves focus from calendar
Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert McTeer said on Saturday 21 February that the shift in the wording of the FOMC's statement represented a an effort to force financial markets to focus on economic conditions rather than on time.
BOJ's Iwata: Inflation at 1-2% would be stable
Deputy Governor of the bank of Japan Kazumasa Iwata said in an interview that the BOJ will probably keep interest rates near zero until consumer prices rise about 1 to 2 per cent.
BIS offers to manage Philippines reserves- reports
The Philippines central bank is studying a BIS proposal to manage the country's gross international reserves. A source at the BSP said the BIS expressed interest in acting as its "external fund manager".
RBA tackles hidden fees in credit cards
The Reserve Bank of Australia ruled on Monday 23 February that Visa's debit card was a payments system and covered by the Payment Systems Act, allowing the bank to set standards for the card.
Mel Gibson's father: 'Greenspan should be lynched'
Well-known Hollywood Actor Mel Gibson is about to release a new movie, but in a bizarre interview his father has made some outrageous comments, including a mention for Alan Greenspan.
Bank Indonesia seeks replacement deputy governor
President Director ECW Nelloe of Bank Mandiri said on Wednesday (18 Feb) that he was not prepared to be nominated for the post of senior deputy governor of Bank Indonesia.
Poor Don Brash splattered with mud
Don Brash planned to take his message direct to the people after recent problems saw him accused of "Maori bashing". But all was not plain sailing for the former RBNZ chief.
'Toshihiko Goldilocks' world's top central banker
According to The Economist this week, Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui is the world's best central banker. Fukui was prised for steering monetary policy in the right direction while his counterparts at the ECB and Fed came in for criticism.
BI aims for skills increase in staff
Supervisory staff at Bank Indonesia will be required to receive competence certificates under new measures to improve the banking industry.
Gerashchenko to co-chair of Russians Regions Party
Former chief of the Russian Central Bank Viktor Gerashchenko was elected co-chairman of the Russian Regions Party on Monday (15 Feb). The decision was made by the party's congress, after Sergey Glazyev was booted from the post.